Recognizing that pesticides
are more likely to harm infants and children than adults, in 1996 Congress
adopted the Food Quality Protection Act, which requires the Environmental
Protection Agency to provide extra safety protections to account for children's
greater exposure and susceptibility to these harmful substances. The EPA,
however, has yet to implement these safeguards.

In the meantime, as
a result of pressure from the chemical, food and agricultural industries,
legislation has been introduced in Congress that would effectively gut
the Food Quality Protection Act. Known as the Regulatory Fairness and
Openness Act, in truth this bill would delay or eliminate crucial health
protections for children by prohibiting the EPA from using the extra safety
provisions required by the FQPA. This bill would leave children unprotected
from these risky chemicals and would remove incentives for manufacturers
to determine the effects of their chemicals on children's vulnerable systems.

What to do:

Contact your senators
and representative and tell them to oppose the Regulatory Fairness and
Openness Act (S. 1464 in the Senate and H.R. 1592 in the House). Tell
them that they have a responsibility to protect citizens, especially children,
from the harmful effects of pesticides, and let them know the provisions
of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act should be enforced, not repealed.
Call them at the number below, or use the sample letter, which you can
edit, or write your own. click here for sample
letter

How do I contact
my Senators and Representatives?

You can call the
Capitol Swithchboard
202-224-3121

You can write to your Congress personTo a Senator
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

To a Representative
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Not sure of the
names of your Senators and Representatives?
You can find the names of your Senators and Representatives on the web.
Click
here to visit the Senate website, with Senators organized by state.
Click here
to visit the House website, you will be asked to enter your address and
zipcode to find your Representative.